The many hours spent at the board have turned them into skilful players; in spring 2025, they took home the prestigious first prize in the Swedish Youth Chess Championship beating another 55 competing schools from all over the country.
“I’ve been playing for two years – and I play every day. It’s much more fun than jigsaw puzzles,” says Philip Norlin, a member of the winning team.
This afternoon, just as usual, he has gathered with his team mates for a game of chess.
“There are five of us in the team and it’s often the five of us that get together to play. This means that one of us can go round and help the four players find the best move. We have a lot of fun – and laugh a lot,” says his teammate, and classmate, Ayan Yousaf.
The benefits of chess, a combination of developing logical thinking and promoting social skills, have led IES Staffan-torp to start a chess club, just like many other IES schools. Teachers report that chess increases students’ focus and reasoning skills. Quite simply, chess is great brain exercise – as well as being a fun and sociable activity.
IES students have become so passionate about chess that the Swedish Chess Federation’s Swedish Championship tournament, which is played once a year, is not enough for them. IES has therefore organised its own chess competition, to which all school chess clubs are invited. The tournament takes place online in cooperation with the Swedish Chess Federation.